A Fun Family Diversity Activity
Sunday, November 6, 2011
12th Annual Walk for CommUNITY
Click here to register online!
Click here to download a printable registration form!
Make plans to join us, along with 2011 Walk Chair Martie North, to celebrate Arkansas' open, diverse, and spirit-filled community!
Last year’s Walk raised nearly $43,000 for JCA programs, making it the second most successful Walk in the event’s history in terms of fund-raising. Over 800 people, friends old and new, gathered for the Little Rock diversity activity at the River Market pavilions to enjoy food, music, fun, and fellowship. Over 60 teams represented schools, area businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, faith communities, families, and neighborhoods.
Mark your Little Rock calendar of events for next year’s Walk for CommUNITY on Sunday afternoon, November 6, 2011. For more information about the Walk or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kerri Michael Sernel at (501) 372-5129.
|-- Show 2010 Walk for CommUNITY Report --|
The 11th Annual Walk for CommUNITY
November 7, 2010
Every year since 2000, people from all walks of life in Central Arkansas and beyond have come together to celebrate our open, diverse, and spirit-filled state. The Walk for CommUNITY symbolizes our solidarity as Arkansans working together to build communities where every person is valued, every voice is heard and everyone has a fair chance to succeed. Funds raised at the Walk for CommUNITY are used to support existing programs and to implement new programs for our state’s youth, adult, and community leaders. JCA reaches young people in grades 5-12 with programming aimed at breaking down barriers, eliminating stereotypes, and fostering mutual respect in our communities. Adult and community programs focus on building mutual respect and creating opportunities for open and civil dialogue that leads to more inclusive communities. To learn more about our programming, visit our Programs page.
This year’s Walk raised over $42,000 for JCA programs, making it the second most successful Walk in the event’s history in terms of fundraising. Over 800 people, friends old and new, gathered at the River Market pavilions, where they were greeted by event co-chairs Melba and Don Marshall, Executive Director Ruth Shepherd, JCA Board President Jay Barth, and JCA Board member and State Senator Joyce Elliott. Honorary co-chairs for the Walk included Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays, Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines, Little Rock Chief of Police Stuart Thomas, North Little Rock Chief of Police Danny Bradley, Pulaski County Sheriff Doc Holladay, Little Rock Fire Chief Gregory Summers, and North Little Rock Fire Chief Robert Mauldin.
Walkers enjoyed perfect fall weather and great entertainment by the talented young musicians of the Mabelvale African Drum & Groove Ensemble. Children of all ages enjoyed the fun activities provided by the Little Rock and North Little Rock Mayor’s Youth Councils as clowns from Central High School and mimes from Parkview Arts & Science Magnet High School delighted the crowd. After a brief welcome ceremony and a rousing roll call, walkers passed underneath a colorful balloon arch constructed by the young ladies of Go! Girls Youth Initiative Program, and set out on the one-mile, fully-accessible route. Upon returning to the pavilions, walkers enjoyed pizza from Little Caesar’s, Starbucks coffee, music, entertainment, and great company.
On-site Walk registration was very graciously and capably handled by corps members of City Year Little Rock/North Little Rock. Over 60 groups formed teams representing schools, area businesses, civic and nonprofit groups, faith communities, families, and neighborhoods. Most notable this year was the diversity of participation from Central Arkansas’ many faith traditions. Faith communities represented among this year’s Walk teams included Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Methodists, Unitarian Universalists, Baha’is, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Catholics, and the Arkansas Interfaith Alliance.
Sponsors for the 2010 Walk for CommUNITY included the Regional Recycling and Waste Reduction District; Little Rock Athletic Club; OneBanc; AARP; Arvest Bank; Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission; Bird & Bear Medical, Inc.; City of North Little Rock; Client First Staffing; Duvall Family Charitable Endowment; Junior League of Little Rock; Legacy Termite & Pest Control; Marshall Management; Philander Smith College; 103.7 The Buzz; Central Arkansas Water; Comcast; Hola! Arkansas; Little Caesar’s of West Little Rock and Otter Creek; Sol Alman Company; Starbucks; Second Baptist Church; and WildWear Inc. JCA wishes to thank all of our sponsors and contributors for making this year's Walk for CommUNITY such a great success.
Next year’s Walk for CommUNITY will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 6. For more information about the Walk or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kerri Michael Sernel at (501) 372-5129.
Why We Walk
- We Walk because we prefer understanding over misconception.
- We Walk to teach our children tolerance and acceptance.
- We Walk to learn more about ourselves and others.
- We Walk to identify our similarities rather than our differences.
- We Walk to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- We Walk to ease the pain of past transgressions.
- We Walk to feel the power of our community.
- We Walk to reunite.
- We Walk to make the world a better place.
- We Walk to change lives!
Since 2000, JCA has organized an annual
Walk for CommUNITY on the Little Rock calendar or events, bringing people from all backgrounds together for a one-mile Walk in celebration of central Arkansas’ open, diverse and spirit-filled community.
The annual Walk for CommUNITY is a perfect event for those who want to fight bigotry, promote diversity and have fun at the same time! Every year, hundreds of concerned and engaged citizens join together to express appreciation for the diversity offered in central Arkansas. Walkers follow a path, which is just one mile in length, over the Main Street Bridge to North Little Rock and then back to the River Market Pavilions. Following the Walk, we celebrate this diversity activity with music, refreshments, entertainment and lots of fun!
Funds raised from the Walk support JCA’s youth and community leadership programs.
The Walk for CommUNITY is a great opportunity for all allies of JCA to support the work that JCA does and to showcase their pride in the diversity of the Arkansas community.
If you would like more information about the Walk for CommUNITY or to become a Team Leader or Sponsor of this diversity activity, please contact Kerri Michael Sernel, Development and Marketing Director, at the JCA office.